Don't steer clear of leather sofas

They're masculine enough for men and stylish enough for women.

Photograph by: Handout photo
, Restoration Hardware

Hi Jeffrey,

We are refinishing our basement to accommodate a large TV room, a home office and a three-piece bath. My husband and I have two teen boys and we want them to have a nice space they can bring friends to, so we know where they are and what they're up to. All three males in the house want leather furniture downstairs but I can't help but think of big, rounded, ugly leather sofas. (The kind I made my husband get rid of when we married.) What are your thoughts on leather furniture and is there such a thing as stylish pieces?

Thank you, Jill

To be honest, Jill, I think the attraction to leather furniture is a guy thing. I have placed numerous leather sofas and chairs in client's homes, but it's always the men of the house driving the steering committee.

I don't think it helped the popularity of leather sofas, when at one time, it seemed every bachelor owned an over-stuffed black edition. They were the status symbol of the single guy. And then women such as yourself spent years excising such furniture, until finally any self-respecting bachelor wouldn't go near one. But secretly, deep down, former bachelors harbour a suppressed love of leather. Now, whenever a decorating question arises, they revert to their first love: leather.

To be sure, there is nothing more practical for upholstery then leather. It's durable, cleans easily and lasts forever. (All great qualities for furniture when the primary users are teen boys and their friends.) And the design of leather sofas has come a long, long way. Whether your tastes lean to modern, transitional or traditional, you really will find something to suit you and your boys in leather. I promise.

Restoration Hardware has exceptional, well-designed pieces worth taking a look (restorationhardware.com). They have a wide selection of styles that I'm sure you'll adore and feel compelled to own.

The sectional sofa pictured on this page is from the Maxwell collection, and is upholstered in hand-tanned Italian leather. You mention your new TV room is large, so if space allows I suggest a sectional as they're great for hanging out and watching a movie. This collection comes in as many configurations as you could possibly want and they're all available to view online.

Notice the leather bean bag chair in the foreground of the photo. Few pieces are as comfortable - and at times harder to get out of - and I love using them when decorating for teens. They're always a huge hit and best of all, they're easy to move around.

I certainly understand why you were against leather furniture, Jill, but I think when you look at what's currently on offer you'll be pleasantly surprised. And better to get onboard with the idea so you don't leave all the design decisions to the gentlemen of your household.

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